Flatulence odor eliminating bedding/bedclothes

ABSTRACT

A blanket, comforter, quilt, duvet, duvet insert, bed sheet, bed clothes or bedding of any kind that contains a layer of odor absorbing fabric or material. The layer of odor absorbing fabric has incorporated into it certain substances known to prevent the odors of flatulence. The invention promotes the well being of individuals by eliminating or reducing the odors of human flatus. Commercially available odor absorbing fabrics may be used.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to bedding articles, and moreparticularly, to odor absorbing bedding articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There currently are no bedding products that are designed to absorb odorsuch as odor caused by flatulence. There is a need for bedding products,such as a comforter, bed sheet, bottom bed sheet, top bed sheet,blanket, duvet, duvet insert and quilt that absorb odors, especiallyodors caused by flatulence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a bedding article forabsorbing odors comprising at least one layer of odor absorbingmaterial.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a bedding kit forabsorbing odor comprising a duvet; and a duvet insert comprising atleast one layer of odor absorbing material.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of absorbingodors emanating from a person in bed comprising providing a coveringhaving at least one layer of odor absorbing material, and positioningthe covering so that it covers at least part of the person.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a blanket forabsorbing odors emanating from a person or animal comprising at leastone layer of odor absorbing material.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a combination,comprising one of a comforter, blanket, duvet, duvet insert and quilt;and at least one layer of odor absorbing material disposed within saidone of a comforter, blanket, duvet, duvet insert and quilt.

These and other features and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the various aspectsof the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of thespecification. The invention, however, may be best understood byreference to the following detailed description of various embodimentsand the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a bedding article in accordance withthe present invention in the form of a comforter;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the bedding article of FIG. 1 shownin use covering a person lying in bed;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a bedding article in accordance withthe present invention where the odor absorbing layer is sewn between toother layers and where a flap for tucking under a mattress is shown;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a bed with bedding articles folded over,including a bed sheet, comforter and a bedding article in accordancewith the present invention inserted between the sheet and comforter;

FIG. 5 a side view of a bed with cross sectional view of beddingarticles, including a comforter and a bedding article in accordance withthe present invention between the mattress and comforter where a flap ofthe bedding article is tucked under the mattress;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a bedding article which would besuitable for a duvet insert in accordance with the present inventionwhere the odor absorbing layer is sewn between to other layers;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a duvet with a duvet insert in accordance withpresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a bed with cross sectional view of a duvet witha bedding insert disposed within in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is bedding article in accordance with the present invention witha plurality of flaps for tucking under a mattress;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a bed with cross sectional view of the beddingarticle of FIG. 9 disposed on the mattress, with flaps tucked under themattress and a person lying on the bedding article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is a type offlatulence-odor-eliminating bedding or odor reducing bedding componentsuch as a blanket, comforter, quilt, duvet, duvet insert, bed sheet orbedding that absorbs the gases and odors of flatulence and provides forthe comfort of individuals by eliminating unpleasant smells of humanintestinal gases or flatus comprising a layer of odor absorbing materialin addition to any kind of material that could be used for constructionof any kind of blanket, comforter, quilt, duvet, duvet insert, bed sheetor bedding.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises the use ofpreviously manufactured odor absorbing fabric or material to producebedding for the purpose of eliminating, binding or reducing thesubstances and odors of flatulence.

The odor absorbing, eliminating, binding or reducing substancesincorporated into fabric and used in bedding of the present invention toeliminate or reduce the odors of flatulence may include but are notlimited to: activated carbon or charcoal or carbon of any kind, borax orboron compounds, zeolite, silver or therefore, any substance, chemical,compound, mixture, element or matter which is known to absorb, inhibitor physically or chemically bond with odors or any odor producingsubstance, chemical, compound, element or matter known to produce odorsdetectable or unpleasant to the human nose or sense of smell or harmfulto individuals.

The present invention may employ the use of any such substancesidentified in the preceding paragraph in claim 2a in materials or fabricfor eliminating the odors of flatulence in bedding.

Other layers of fabric or material may be used above and below the layerof odor absorbing material to enhance the quality of the final productand/or to provide for insulation, support, stability or the aestheticquality of the product. This fabric or material can be any kind commonlyused to construct a blanket, comforter, quilt, duvet, duvet insert, bedsheet or bedding. Examples are not limited to polyester, cotton, wool,polypropylene or any natural or synthetic fiber or combination orfibers.

The bedding articles of the present invention may contain a layer orlayers of insulating material or insulation in addition to layers ofodor absorbing material. Examples of useable insulation are not limitedto: polyester, cotton, wool, fur, hair, down, feathers, beads,polypropylene, recycled water bottle fiber or any natural or syntheticinsulating material or combination of materials.

Embodiments of the present invention may be used as a normal blanket,comforter, quilt, duvet, duvet insert or sheet. It can be used withother sheets or bedding of any kind but the closer to the body it islocated, the more effective it will be in eliminating the odorassociated with flatulence.

Embodiments of the present invention can be used to absorb the toxicvolatile chemicals present in mattresses and box springs especially ifthe bedding is placed between individuals and the mattress. The use ofthe invention to absorb the toxic chemicals used to construct themattress and or box spring may prevent human health concerns and promotea sense of well being.

Embodiments of the present invention can be used during the threat ofchemical or biological attack or spill to prevent or reduce the threatof harm to individuals.

The bedding articles of the present invention can be comprised of one ormore layers of odor absorbing fabric or material. Thicker odor absorbingfabric or the use of more of the odor absorbing substance can improvethe effectiveness of an article of the present invention.

The articles of the present invention may_be used by room mates,airplane and train passengers, hospital patients, wheel chair occupants,campers and anyone who wishes to prevent the odors of flatulence fromaffecting others or themselves.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in the normal arrangement is a typicalcomforter cross section but with an added layer, #1, which contains asubstance as in claim 2. This layer #1; when used in combination withbedding, is the essence of the invention. This layer is commerciallyavailable fabric made with activated carbon or other odor absorbingsubstance as noted in Claim 1a and 1b and 2a and 2b.

The outer layers; #2, may be any kind of fabric commonly used to make acomforter with typical thread counts, colors and stitching styles as inclaim 2c. This would hold true for a quilt also. The inner layer, #3, isany kind of insulation commonly used in such bedding as in claim 2d. Inthe case of a blanket, layers #2, may be substituted with any kind ofblanketing material and the inner layer, #3, can be omitted. Nostitching detail is shown except to refer to #7 in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 andFIG. 9. Stitching can be accomplished in any standard manner accordingto prior art in the area of making strong permanent seams in bedding orclothing construction.

FIG. 2 shows the bedding used in a typical situation intending to coverindividuals on a bed. It should also be noted that other bedding; I.e.:a bed sheet, may be placed between the odor absorbing bedding and theindividual and odor absorption will remain effective and that the closerthe odor absorbing layer is to the individual(s) the more effective itwill be.

The invention is intended to be used primarily as bedding but could beused with an individual in a sitting position as in an airplane, train,wheel chair, arm chair or other situation. The more completely a user iscovered by the invention, the more effective will be the odorabsorption, removal or reduction. In case of a toxic chemical spill orattack, the individual would simply wrap the bedding around the body,head and face.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 are cross sections which show variations of theproduct that are made as bedding inserts, #4 and #9, with the odorabsorbing material, #1, sewn between two layers of thin bedding fabric,#2, with no insulation and used between layers of bedding as in FIG. 4,FIG. 5, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. #5 represents a typical bed sheet and #6represents a typical comforter, blanket or quilt. The flap, #6, is 24inches long or longer and as wide as the insert. It is intended to betucked under the mattress to hold it in place as the cross section inFIG. 5 shows. FIG. 7 represents a typical Duvet, with the insert, #7,placed inside along with other bedding. FIG. 8 shows a cross section ofhow the insert, #9, is placed in the Duvet below other bedding, #8.

#7 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 show that the edges are stitched in such a wayas to hold the odor absorbing layer in place. Any common stitchingaccording to similar prior art, could be used as is typical in beddingproducts.

FIG. 9 shows another kind of bedding insert with the same composition asin FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 which can be used below individuals on a bed toabsorb flatulence or volatile chemicals in mattresses and box springs.Flaps, #6, are incorporated in each end, as wide as the insert and 24″long or longer to hold the insert in place as the cross section shows inFIG. 10.

It should be noted that all the bedding types represented here can bemade to fit all different sizes of bedding; for example: King, Queen,Full, Twin and others using English and Metric sizes.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made to theinvention without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas described in the following claims.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A bedding article for absorbing odor comprising: atleast one layer of odor absorbing material.
 13. The bedding article ofclaim 12 wherein the at least one layer has predetermined thickness. 14.The bedding article of claim 12 further comprising at least oneadditional layer of material.
 15. The bedding article of claim 14wherein the layer of odor absorbing material is between a firstadditional layer of material and a second additional layer of material.16. The bedding article of claim 14 wherein at least one of the at leastone layers of odor absorbing material is sewn to at least one of theadditional layers of material.
 17. The bedding article of claim 14wherein at least one of the additional layers of material comprisesinsulating material.
 18. The bedding article of claim 12 furthercomprising: insulating material disposed upon at least one of the twosides of the at least one layer of odor absorbing material.
 19. Thebedding article of claim 18 wherein the insulating material is chosenfrom polyester, cotton, wool, fur, hair, down, feathers, beads,polypropylene, and recycled water bottle fiber.
 20. The bedding articleof claim 17 wherein the insulating material comprises at least one layerof fabric.
 21. The bedding article of claim 14 wherein at least one ofthe additional layers of material comprises a layer of fabric.
 22. Thebedding article of claim 21 wherein the layer of fabric comprisesmaterial chosen from polyester, cotton, wool and polypropylene.
 23. Thebedding article of claim 12 wherein at least one layer of odor absorbingmaterial comprises a layer in the form of fabric.
 24. The beddingarticle of claim 12 wherein at least one of the at least one layers ofodor absorbing material comprises a plurality of layers wherein at leastone of the plurality of layers comprises fabric.
 25. The bedding articleof claim 12 wherein at least one layer of odor absorbing materialcomprises material chosen from activated carbon, charcoal, boraxcompounds, boron compounds, or zeolite.
 26. The bedding article of claim12 wherein at least one layer of odor absorbing material comprisessilver.
 27. The bedding article of claim 12 wherein the article is oneof a comforter, bed sheet, bottom bed sheet, top bed sheet, blanket,duvet, duvet insert and quilt.
 28. The bedding article of claim 12further comprising at least one flap of material for tucking under amattress.
 29. A bedding kit for absorbing odor comprising: a duvet; anda duvet insert comprising at least one layer of odor absorbing material.30. The bedding kit of claim 29 wherein the at least one layer of odorabsorbing material has predetermined thickness.
 31. A method ofabsorbing odors emanating from a person in bed comprising: providing acovering having at least one layer of odor absorbing material; andpositioning the covering so that it covers at least part of the person.32. The method of claim 31 wherein the at least one layer of odorabsorbing material has predetermined thickness.
 33. A blanket forabsorbing odors emanating from a person or animal comprising: at leastone layer of odor absorbing material.
 34. The blanket of claim 33wherein the at least one layer has predetermined thickness.
 35. Acombination, comprising: one of a comforter, blanket, duvet, duvetinsert and quilt; and at least one layer of odor absorbing materialdisposed within said one of a comforter, blanket, duvet, duvet insertand quilt.
 36. The combination of claim 35 wherein the layer of odorabsorbing material has predetermined thickness.
 37. The bedding articleof claim 12 wherein the at least one layer of odor absorbing materialabsorbs odor of animal flatulence.
 38. The bedding article of claim 37wherein the at least one layer of odor absorbing material absorbs odorof human flatulence.